Reading List Completists discussion

This is the winner of the October-December 2015 BIG Read Poll

WHO IS READY FOR A BIG BOOK!?!?!

I am .. I kind of wish I had the ebook version though. I guess at least this way I'm working out while reading ;)

I'm in, but won't get started on it for a couple weeks.

I've already read it. :)

I read it when I was in high school. I'm definitely going to reread it now with you guys. Something tells me I'll like it better now lol.

Kind of a slow start, but I have heard that about this book.

I'm next in line for the ebook. Anyone seen the tv show based on this book?

I've read to pg. 30 and I am intrigued by Mr. Norrell and just what his magic trick will be.

The beginning is reminding me of The Amazing Adventures of Kavelier and Clay.

Definitely picked up with the second chapter.

I read Cavalier and Clay - trying to remember - nothing clicking at the moment with similarities . . . but it is first thing in the morning here!

Ha! Same here, it's early... The history of magic was the trigger for my memory. In Kavelier and Clay it was the history of escapists. Pretty loose comparison, I know. :)

I've only read the first chapter .. I think I'll try for at least one a day. So far, I'm enjoying the writing a lot.

I think that is my goal, too. One chapter a day - 69 chapters - should finish in early December. Perfect!

A chapter a day. Great thought. But I'm terrible at it!

Just started this, and I was thinking the same thing. A chapter a day, maybe two.

Are the footnotes important? I'm reading the book on Overdrive and read them for the first chapter, but they didn't really add to the story. Am I OK to skip them?

Justin - so far the footnotes haven't added much, but I peeked ahead at chapter 5 and it seems to be mostly footnote.

(Infinite Jest, anyone?)

One day I will write a book that is only 10 real pages long, but 500 pages of footnotes. I will call it "The Infinite Jest of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell"

:)

When I read this it was right after The Golem and the Jinni and The Night Circus. They are all in the same kind of theme and style. It was kind of neat that way.

I am enjoying - but the writing style is definitely a little drier than I am used to. Perhaps I should not be reading this late at night when I am tired!

Matthew wrote: "I am enjoying - but the writing style is definitely a little drier than I am used to. Perhaps I should not be reading this late at night when I am tired!"

Yup, sounds like a "you" issue. LOL

Justin wrote: "Just started this, and I was thinking the same thing. A chapter a day, maybe two.

Are the footnotes important? I'm reading the book on Overdrive and read them for the first chapter, but they didn..."

I previously read quite a bit of the book before being waylaid onto other things. I don't remember any of the footnotes being essential to the plot. Although, they can be interesting and quite funny. I've read a few comments where people said they read the story and then went back and read the footnotes and their enjoyment of the book didn't suffer for it.

RachelvlehcaR wrote: "Yup, sounds like a "you" issue. LOL "

*Sigh* Most things are! ;)

while I generally like the book so far, it does come with a difficult combination of a very slow beginning (not much happening in the first 7 chapters) and not easily accessible language. I'm still curious, but I hope it'll start being more thrilling to read soon ...

About to start this one. It's been 10 years since I've read this book. I'm pretty sure I'm going to like it a bit more now lol.

Just curious, is there going to be a discussion thread breaking down the book into parts to discuss (like with Infinite Jest, which I'm still mad I ended up not being able to join you all on, it's still sitting on my shelf waiting to be read and I swear it's going to be one of the next few books I read, I'm going to make sure of it lol), or are we just going to leave it at general chat here?

Brittney - good question - I hadn't really thought about it. I can go either way . . . what do others think/prefer?

I could go either way, too. Though the book does have three parts, so it's at least easier to split up than Infinite Jest.

Maybe breaking into sections would help so things don't get too far ahead for those who jump in later.

Sounds good - I am having some thoughts on this - when I am at a computer I will see what I can set up

I like the idea of splitting into three sections. It eadoer to avoud spoilers. And I'm getting a late start. (Just watch - I'll probably cram it. Like , it's mid-October already!?!)

Sounds good. I'm enjoying it more now that the story is picking up .. (I'm at 10 ch)

I have started creating some additional discussion threads - starting with part 1. This will remain open for general discussion.

Just got the ebook, and I'm in chapter 4. I can definitely finish before the end of the year and I'm looking forward to participating in the discussions. I was kind of surprised when I checked how old the book is: it was written just 11 years ago. It's got that Charles Dickens feel to it.

Yes, it definitely has an old soul for such a recent book.

Well, this book didn't go quite as well for me as it did for others:

Matthew's Review of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell

Well, it felt that way to me as well. It's really bizarre to me how this book is received so very differently by different people .. even among us.